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Wests Tigers’ gun fullback Jahream Bula has signed a multimillion-dollar extension without a key escape clause that would have allowed him to leave if the club fails to make the finals by 2026.
Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has also been reappointed for a further three years.
Bula, who was a shining light for the Tigers, winning the club’s player of the year award in his rookie NRL season, has signed an upgraded and extended contract until the end of 2027 after the club tabled a huge offer, as first revealed by this masthead.
A sticking point late in negotiations was Bula’s management asking for a clause that would have allowed the No.1 to get out of the final 12 months of his deal if they did not make the finals in the next three years under new coach Benji Marshall.
However, sources familiar with the negotiation said the Tigers stood their ground and did not agree to the request before signing off on the contract.
It is a huge boost for the struggling club after consecutive wooden-spoon seasons as it desperately tries to reverse its fortunes under Marshall, who will assume the head coaching role next season.
Dream debut year: Wests Tigers rookie Jahream Bula.Credit: Louise Kennerley/SMH
“I want to stay here as long as I can,” Bula said. “The club blessed me with this opportunity and I’m not in this position without them. I want to hopefully win a championship here one day, that’s my goal.”
Bula’s retention came on the same day it emerged Hagipantelis, whose law firm Brydens is also the club’s major sponsor, will remain at the helm of the club until 2026. He has held the chairman role since taking over from former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell in 2019.
“I don’t take anything for granted, the results over the last three years have not been great,” Hagipantelis said.
“But it’s a credit to the board that they see that although the results haven’t been good, we have made substantial structural and cultural changes to the organisation.
“We are slowly turning a corner. The last three years, in my view, have been all about transformation. You could even go back further to 2018 when we encountered difficulties with Ivan [Cleary, coach] leaving the club and there were consequences that the club had to deal with.
“It was a difficult period thereafter, it took a long time to stabilise the cap and the roster.
“This year was the final year, I believe, of that transition into a new era. It’s been an honour for me to oversee a lot of that with the support of the board. We all share the same vision for the club.”
Hagipantelis, his board and chief executive Justin Pascoe have been lightning rods for criticism.
Asked if he had any qualms about continuing in the role, Hagipantelis said: “There may have been some reticence in the head, but in the heart, no. I love the job, I love being able to make a difference.”
Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis.Credit: Getty
Holman Barnes Group, the trading name for Western Suburbs Leagues Club Limited, which owns 90 per cent of the Wests Tigers, is conducting a review of the governance of the club. Hagipantelis conceded under the current ownership structure, there is no way for disgruntled members to force changes at board level.
“I understand the complaint in respect to the lack of accountability given the corporate structure, but it is what it is,” Hagipantelis said.
“It doesn’t mean the club is immune to criticism and doesn’t heed the concerns and complaints of our stakeholders and supporters.
“The fact there is a review commissioned is evidence the Holman Barnes Group has heeded the concerns and has ordered this review to ensure everything that can be done is done.”
Asked if Pascoe was expected to remain as chief executive after the review, Hagipantelis said: “I expect so, yes. I have spoken to my fellow directors, who have expressed faith and confidence in Justin in fulfilling his role.”
The Tigers have fast-tracked their succession plan, meaning Marshall will take over as head coach from Tim Sheens now rather than at the end of next season.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, I won’t be making any fearless predictions about 2024,” Hagipantelis said.
“The reality is we have had a complete transformational change in our football department with Benji’s elevation. It is a new dawn, a new era.
“Benji continues to impress, he presented to the board and his football IQ and knowledge astounds me, personally.
“I truly believe that we are on the right path and turning that corner.”
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